Places

Bhang | The Holy Holi Drink

Is bhang legal in India? From Holi celebrations to Siva worship, bhang has been consumed in India for centuries in various forms— bhang lassi,

History, People, Places

India’s first sports superstar | Dhyan Chand

This young sepoy’s sporting achievements are so remarkable that his birthday is celebrated as National Sports Day in India. This is the story of

History, Places, Religions

The Jain temples of Deogarh | Uttar Pradesh

How did a small town in Bundelkhand become a pilgrimage site for Jains? Deogarh’s Karnali Fort houses a remarkable complex of 31 Jain temples

People, Places, Religions

Kanwar Yatra | Har Ki Pauri

Kanwar Yatra is one of India’s largest pilgrimages. It sees over 30 million devotees walk barefoot for miles, carrying Ganga water to Siva temples

History, People, Places

The Excavations at Adichanallur | Tamil Nadu

About 150 years ago, a series of excavations at Adichanallur in Tamil Nadu threw up many ancient artefacts that were dated to about 900

History, Places

Salkhan Fossils Park | Sonbhadra

Did you know that India is home to one of the oldest fossil parks in the world? About 100 kms from Varanasi in Uttar

Culture, History, Places

Did you know that Qutb Minar is one of the tallest free-standing stone minarets in the world? But when Qutubuddin Aibak built it in 1192, it wasn’t nearly as tall. It grew over time with many subsequent kings adding to the tower.

Culture, History, Places

The Oldest Lighthouse – Olakannesvara temple

Which is the oldest lighthouse in India? The Olakannesvara temple, an 8th century Siva temple in Mamallapuram, is one contender for the title. According to local legend, this structure served as a beacon guiding sailors over 1200 years ago.

History, People, Places

Raja Desingu of Gingee

A Rajput prince from Bundelkhand named Tej Singh came to Gingee in Tamil Nadu and became a local hero named Raja Desingu. His story is still told in local ballads and street performances like Therukoothu and Poi-Kal-Kuthirai, and even the Burra-Katha tradition of Andhra. It was even made into a Tamil biopic in the 1960s, featuring MGR. Who was Raja Desingu?

History, People, Places

Yale and Slave Trade

Did you know that Yale University was built on donations made from ill-gotten wealth, largely from slave trade in the 17th century? Madras or present-day Chennai is where the University’s benefactor, Elihu Yale, made much of his money.

Culture, Places, Religions

The Celestial Wedding That United a Town | The Chithirai Festival, Madurai

Every year in April-May, tens of thousands of people visit Madurai to take part in the Chithirai festival. Huge, colourful chariots are drawn through the streets of Madurai in a re-enactment of the celestial wedding of Lord Sundareshwarar and Goddess Meenakshi. The festivities are centred around two ancient temples, the Kallazhagar temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and the Meenakshi temple dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi. But did you know that the festival in its current form was the creation of a king Thirumalai Nayak, who ruled over Madurai in the 17th century? What is the story behind this grand festival that connects two prominent temples and brings a whole town together?

History, People, Places

William Lambton: The Soldier Who Mapped India

The Great Trigonometrical Survey of India was the largest measurement of the Earth’s surface ever attempted. Apart from mapping the country, the project measured the height of Mount Everest, the tallest peak in the world, and even corroborated Newton’s theory about the shape of the Earth. This is the story of the man who led this massive project – Col. William Lambton.

History, People, Places

The Story of Bruce Foote: The British Scientist Who Discovered Madrasian Culture

Why is Robert Bruce Foote, an Englishman, considered to be the ‘father of Indian prehistory’? What is the significance of ‘Madrasian Culture’? Read on for the fascinating story of a man who made Madras an unforgettable name in anthropology.

History, People, Places

The ‘Mad King’ and the Mongols

The Mongols were infamous for their remarkable conquests that spanned a vast expanse of the world. Yet, they were never able to conquer Delhi, despite it being within striking distance. Why? The answer is most likely – Alauddin Khilji. The Mongols’ repeated attempts to capture Delhi were thwarted by Khilji’s resolute defence.

History, People, Places

The Loan Sharks of the Carnatic

One of the many ways in which the British East India Company gained control over various regions of India was by forging advantageous friendships with local rulers and getting involved in internal politics. And some conquests were made simply through financial wheeling and dealing…

History, Places

The Forgotten Fort of Sadras

Once a thriving Dutch colony, Sadras is an obscure town lost in the annals of history. Today, the echoes of its captivating past linger amidst the scattered ruins of Sadras Fort, where the legends of a ghostly Dutchman abound. Read on for its story.